Learn how to fix a black or blank screen on your Windows device using keyboard shortcuts or other methods. Find related topics for external monitor, wireless display, and Surface issues.

Learn how to fix a black or blank screen on your Windows device using keyboard shortcuts or other methods. Find more info and tips for Surface devices and Windows 11.

The screen remains black when you turn your Surface on or wake it from sleep. Your Surface gets stuck on the Surface logo screen. Windows doesn't start correctly—for example, Windows goes to the Automatic Repair or the Choose an option screen at startup.

Click one of the recovery options below and follow the steps to try to get things working again. Remove an installed Windows update. Reset your PC. Use the Startup Repair function. Use installation media to reinstall Windows 11. Use installation media to restore your PC. Use a recovery drive to restore or recover your PC.

Blue Screen errors (also sometimes called black screen errors or STOP code errors) can occur if a serious problem causes Windows to shut down or restart unexpectedly. You might see a message that says, "Windows has been shut down to prevent damage to your computer" or a similar message.

A Microsoft logo that remains on a black screen. Getting devices ready or a spinning circle may also appear on the screen below the logo. If you see this and have waited for several minutes, try the solutions, in order. Solution 1: Force a shut down and restart.

Solution 1: Restart your Surface. On the Automatic Repair screen, select Restart. If Windows starts: Install the latest Surface and Windows updates to help prevent future problems. For more info, see Download drivers and firmware for Surface. If Windows doesn’t start: Go to Solution 2. Solution 2: Continue to Windows.